MACHETE Definition & Meaning

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machete

[ muh-shet-ee, -chet-ee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a large heavy knife used especially in Latin American countries in cutting sugarcane and clearing underbrush and as a weapon.
a tarpon, Elops affinis, of the eastern Pacific Ocean, having an elongated, compressed body.

machete

/ -ˈtʃeɪ-; məˈʃɛtɪ /

noun

a broad heavy knife used for cutting or as a weapon, esp in parts of Central and South America

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of machete¹

First recorded in 1575–1600; < Spanish, equivalent to mach(o) “mallet” ( mace ¹ ) + -ete noun suffix ( -et ( def ) )

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of machete¹

C16 macheto, from Spanish machete, from macho club, perhaps from Vulgar Latin mattea (unattested) club

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Example Sentences

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Ms Turner had been strangled with a dressing gown cord, her hair chopped and ripped out as well as being hit with mugs, a machete, a bat, golf club, chain and radio.

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There were zombie knives, machetes, switchblades and swords.

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There have been stabbings, a machete assault, a car ramming into civilians at a Christmas market and again at a recent trade union demonstration in Munich, where yet another small child was killed.

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It was one of nearly 30 knives and machetes he had bought using the same method over several months.

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Beth was attacked with a machete by her former partner, a neo-Nazi misogynist who used his MI5 role to coercively control her.

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